Field evaluation of a Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) damage simulation model: effects of irrigation, H. zea density, and time of damage on cotton yield

Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) is an important pest of cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., for which many economic injury and population models have been developed to predict the impact of injury by this species on cotton yield. A number of these models were developed using results from simulated damage experiments, despite the fact that no studies have demonstrated that simulated damage is comparable to real H. zea damage. Our main objective in this study was to compare the effect on yield of H. zea larvae feeding on cotton fruiting structures at different irrigation levels, larval densities, and cotton physiological ages with damage produced artificially by removing fruiting structures by hand using simulated estimates of H. zea injury. To accomplish this, we used two irrigation levels, each divided into real and simulated damage plots. In real damage plots, H. zea larvae were placed on plants and allowed to feed; whereas in simulated damage plots, fruiting structures were removed by hand using a simulation model of H. zea damage to determine numbers and amounts of fruiting structures to remove. Each of these plots was further divided into one undamaged control plot and nine treatment plots. Each treatment plot was randomly assigned one of three damage times (early, middle, or late season) and one of three H. zea densities. In 1998, we found that only artificial H. zea damage (performed by hand removal of fruiting structures) at the highest density and during the late season decreased yield; whereas real damage caused by H. zea larvae placed on plants, and artificial damage occurring at earlier time periods and lower H. zea densities did not affect yield. In 1999, both real and artificial damage decreased yield at the higher H. zea densities compared with the lowest density, but, as in 1998, this was only true when damage occurred late in the season. The most important finding of this study was that high H. zea densities had no effect on cotton yield unless they occurred late in the season. In particular, this was true for artificial H. zea damage. The second most important finding of this study was that, with the exception of late in the season, our model for simulating H. zea damage to cotton through removal of fruiting structures resulted in similar yields as real H. zea larvae damage to cotton.     

Fruiting and flushing phenology in Asian tropical and temperate forests: implications for primate ecology

In order to understand the ecological adaptations of primates to survive in temperate forests, we need to know the general patterns of plant phenology in temperate and tropical forests. Comparative analyses have been employed to investigate general trends in the seasonality and abundance of fruit and young leaves in tropical and temperate forests. Previous studies have shown that (1) fruit fall biomass in temperate forest is lower than in tropical forest, (2) non-fleshy species, in particular acorns, comprise the majority of the fruit biomass in temperate forest, (3) the duration of the fruiting season is shorter in temperate forest, and (4) the fruiting peak occurs in autumn in most temperate forests. Through our comparative analyses of the fruiting and flushing phenology between Asian temperate and tropical forests, we revealed that (1) fruiting is more annually periodic (the pattern in one year is similar to that seen in the next year) in temperate forest in terms of the number of fruiting species or trees, (2) there is no consistent difference in interannual variations in fruiting between temperate and tropical forests, although some oak-dominated temperate forests exhibit extremely large interannual variations in fruiting, (3) the timing of the flushing peak is predictable (in spring and early summer), and (4) the duration of the flushing season is shorter. The flushing season in temperate forests (17–28 % of that in tropical forests) was quite limited, even compared to the fruiting season (68 %). These results imply that temperate primates need to survive a long period of scarcity of young leaves and fruits, but the timing is predictable. Therefore, a dependence on low-quality foods, such as mature leaves, buds, bark, and lichens, would be indispensable for temperate primates. Due to the high predictability of the timing of fruiting and flushing in temperate forests, fat accumulation during the fruit-abundant period and fat metabolization during the subsequent fruit-scarce period can be an effective strategy to survive the lean period (winter).     

Seasonal occurrence of spotted wing drosophila in various small fruits and berries in Pennsylvania and Maryland

Spotted wing drosophila (SWD) (Drosophila suzukii), a major invasive pest of small fruit crops, was first found in Pennsylvania and Maryland during the 2011 crop season, and since then, it has been established throughout the fruit growing regions of both states. A season‐long field study was conducted to find out the seasonal occurrence of SWD in several fruit crops (e.g. blueberry, tart and sweet cherry, floricane‐fruiting summer red raspberry, blackberry, primocane‐fruiting fall raspberries and table grapes) in Pennsylvania and Maryland in 2014. This is the first study determining seasonal occurrence of SWD using a standard commercial lure (Pherocon^® SWD Dual‐Lure^?)‐baited traps in this region. In both states, SWD adults were not captured prior to the month of July, and populations of SWD were found to build up in fruit crops only from mid‐July onwards. This indicates early season fruit crops or varieties are not at risk from SWD fruit injury in these two states. Such early fruit crops, for instance strawberry, sweet and tart cherry, are generally harvested before SWD populations build up in this region. In this context, implications of SWD population in various small fruit crops grown in this region and the utility of SWD Dual‐Lure ^? in season‐long monitoring of SWD population are discussed.     

Stomatal sensitivity to vapour pressure deficit of temperate and tropical evergreen rainforest trees of Australia

Although rainforests of eastern Australia grow in regions of high precipitation, there is a shift from a summer dry season in the temperate south to a winter dry season in the tropical north. Therefore, rainforest trees of eastern Australia provide an opportunity to investigate stomatal sensitivity of mesic trees to vapour pressure deficit (VPD) along a gradient in seasonality of precipitation. Eight rainforest canopy tree species were selected to cover the latitudinal range of rainforests in eastern Australia. Seedlings of these species were grown for a year in glasshouses under ambient conditions or at low VPD and water vapour exchange of leaves was measured during summer. Tropical species, which experience summer-dominant precipitation, showed higher stomatal sensitivities to VPD than temperate species, which experience winter-dominant precipitation. Growing plants under a low VPD increased stomatal sensitivity to increasing VPD in most species. The high stomatal sensitivity to VPD of the tropical species is consistent with the infrequent water stress experienced during their growing season and suggests a high susceptibility to water deficits. In contrast, temperate species may use other mechanisms to maintain photosynthesis under the relatively drier conditions of the temperate growing season.     

Fruiting phenology in a tropical dry evergreen forest on the Coromandel coast of India in relation to plant life-forms,physiognomic groups,dispersal modes,and climatic constraints

The fruiting phenology of 22 woody plant species belonging to 19 families was studied with respect to life-forms, physiognomic groups and dispersal modes, for 1 year at monthly intervals, in a tropical dry evergreen forest at Oorani (12°11′N, 79°57′E) on the Coromandel coast of India. At the community level, bimodal fruiting pattern prevailed, with a major peak in the dry season and a minor one in the early rainy season. An annual fruiting pattern was observed in many species and among the studied species fruiting lasted for 2–9 months. There was no significant difference in the frequency of species at three fruiting stages across the life-form categories and many species of upper and lower canopy trees and lianas were in the ripe fruiting phase during the late dry season. Plant physiognomic groups displayed distinct seasonality in fruiting pattern. The fruit maturation period was much longer for the wet season fruiting brevi-deciduous species than evergreen and deciduous species that fruited during the dry season. The variation in timing of fruiting behaviour among zoochorous species demonstrated less seasonality and zoochorous fruits were available throughout the year. Fruiting in anemochorous species peaked during the driest months and dryness favoured the dissemination of seeds. The fruiting patterns observed in the studied tropical dry evergreen forest across various plant traits were comparable with patterns recorded in other tropical seasonal forests.     

Phenology of Tree Species in Bolivian Dry Forests

Phenological characteristics of 453 individuals representing 39 tree species were investigated in two dry forests of the Lomerío region, Department of Santa Cruz, Bolivia. The leaf, flower, and fruit production of canopy and sub–canopy forest tree species were recorded monthly over a two–year period. Most canopy species lost their leaves during the dry season, whereas nearly all sub–canopy species retained their leaves. Peak leaf fall for canopy trees coincided with the peak of the dry season in July and August. Flushing of new leaves was complete by November in the early rainy season. Flowering and fruiting were bimodal, with a major peak occurring at the end of the dry season (August–October) and a minor peak during the rainy season (January). Fruit development was sufficiently long in this forest that fruiting peaks actually tended to precede flowering peaks by one month. A scarcity of fruit was observed in May, corresponding to the end of the rainy season. With the exception of figs (Ficus), most species had fairly synchronous fruit production. Most canopy trees had small, wind dispersed seeds or fruits that matured during the latter part of the dry season, whereas many sub–canopy tree species produced larger animal– or gravity–dispersed fruits that matured during the peak of the rainy season. Most species produced fruit annually. Lomerio received less rainfall than other tropical dry forests in which phenological studies have been conducted, but rainfall can be plentiful during the dry season in association with the passage of Antarctic cold fronts. Still, phenological patterns in Bolivian dry forests appear to be similar to those of other Neotropical dry forests.     

Response of cotton to prebloom square loss

In 1996 and 1997, various intensities of prebloom square removal were applied to three cultivars of cotton grown in Mississippi. With the exception of one cultivar in 1997, all cultivars were B. thuringiensis (Bt)-transgenic cotton. At harvest, the number of bolls and seed cotton weight was recorded for all plants in each square removal treatment. All cultivars responded similarly to square loss. A yield increase (overcompensation) was observed in the treatment where all squares were removed from the plant one week after squaring began. Only the treatment where all squares were removed before bloom significantly reduced yield and caused a large (>7 d) delay in crop maturation. Otherwise, moderate levels of square removal (approximately 20-50% of prebloom squares) had little impact on overall lint production. However, the patterns of cotton production on the plants were significantly influenced by the square removal treatments. The removal of relatively more or larger squares increased seed cotton production in late-season fruiting cohorts and on 'vegetative' branches. Compensation for square loss occurred by increasing the relative number and weight of bolls produced subsequent to early-season square removal. Typically, early-season square loss increased the value of later-season fruiting cohorts, especially the midseason cohorts and bolls on vegetative branches. The implications of prebloom square loss, including the compensatory ability of the cotton plant, on insect management are discussed.     

Development of a treatment threshold for sucking insects in determinate Bollgard II transgenic cotton grown in winter production areas

Abstract  Little is known about the impact of sucking insects on cotton grown in tropical production areas. To examine this, an experiment was conducted at Katherine in northern Australia to determine the impact of mirids ( Creontiades dilutus (Stål) and Creontiades pacificus (Stål), green vegetable bug ( Nezara veridula (L.)) and red-banded shield bug ( Piezodorus hybneri (Gmelin)) on the yield and fibre quality of the transgenic cotton variety DP50bx containing genes for the expression of Cry1A(c) and Cry2A(b) δ-endotoxins of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner variety kurstaki . The trial examined the impact of sucking insect populations in the range 0.5–2.0/m². Yields of unsprayed plots were approximately 30% of those obtained in plots sprayed on a threshold of 0.5/m² which did not differ significantly from plots sprayed regularly to exclude sucking insects. The increase in yield in the low pest density treatments was the result of improved fruit retention in the middle part of the plant. Fibre quality was similar in all treatments. However, damage ratings to individual bolls did differ between treatments. Bolls in the high insect density treatments received more damage than those in the low density treatments. As a result of this study, a tentative treatment threshold of 0.5 sucking insect/m² is recommended in determinate Bollgard II cotton varieties grown in winter production areas.     

丽蚜小蜂两个品系寄生行为及对不同寄主植物上烟粉虱的选择性

对丽蚜小蜂两个品系(分别来自北京和美国)寄生烟粉虱的行为和在番茄、黄瓜、甘蓝、茄子及棉花烟粉虱上的发育历期和寄生率进行了研究。结果表明,丽蚜小蜂通过寄主定位、寄主检查、产卵、清扫和梳理等过程对烟粉虱进行寄生,北京品系平均产卵寄生时间为5.0 m in,美国品系为4.2 m in,品系间差异显著。北京品系在棉花烟粉虱上发育历期最短,为17.4 d,甘蓝烟粉虱上发育历期最长,为20.0 d;美国品系在棉花烟粉虱上发育历期最短,为16.3 d,在其余4种寄主植物烟粉虱上发育历期较长(17.3~17.9 d)。2个品系的寄生率均表现为番茄烟粉虱上最高,分别为37.3%和39.0%;棉花次之,分别为32.2%和35.5%;黄瓜上最低,分别为30.2%和29.6%。在寄主植物选择性试验中,2个品系亦表现为寄生番茄烟粉虱时寄生率最高,美国品系为62.7%,北京品系为56.3%,寄生黄瓜烟粉虱时寄生率最低,分别为30.8%和29.0%。     

Impact of Lygus spp. (Hemiptera: Miridae) on damage, yield and quality of lesquerella (Physaria fendleri), a potential new oil-seed crop

Lesquerella, Physaria fendleri (A. Gray) S. Watson, is a mustard native to the western United States and is currently being developed as a commercial source of valuable hydroxy fatty acids that can be used in a number of industrial applications, including biolubricants, biofuel additives, motor oils, resins, waxes, nylons, plastics, corrosion inhibitors, cosmetics, and coatings. The plant is cultivated as a winter-spring annual and in the desert southwest it harbors large populations of arthropods, several of which could be significant pests once production expands. Lygus spp. (Hemiptera: Miridae) are common in lesquerella and are known pests of a number of agronomic and horticultural crops where they feed primarily on reproductive tissues. A 4-yr replicated plot study was undertaken to evaluate the probable impact of Lygus spp. on production of this potential new crop. Plant damage and subsequent seed yield and quality were examined relative to variable and representative densities of Lygus spp. (0.3-4.9 insects per sweep net) resulting from variable frequency and timing of insecticide applications. Increasing damage to various fruiting structures (flowers [0.9-13.9%], buds [1.2-7.1%], and seed pods [19.4-42.5%]) was significantly associated with increasing pest abundance, particularly the abundance of nymphs, in all years. This damage, however, did not consistently translate into reductions in seed yield (481-1,336 kg/ha), individual seed weight (0.5-0.7 g per 1,000 seed), or seed oil content (21.8-30.4%), and pest abundance generally explained relatively little of the variation in crop yield and quality. Negative effects on yield were not sensitive to the timing of pest damage (early versus late season) but were more pronounced during years when potential yields were lower due to weed competition and other agronomic factors. Results suggest that if the crop is established and managed in a more optimal fashion, Lygus spp. may not significantly limit yield. Nonetheless, additional work will be needed once more uniform cultivars become available and yield effects can be more precisely measured. Densities of Lygus spp. in unsprayed lesquerella are on par with those in other known agroecosystem level sources of this pest (e.g., forage and seed alfalfa, Medicago sativa L.). Thus, lesquerella production may introduce new challenges to pest management in crops such as cotton.     

Spatio‐temporal variation in Helicoverpa egg parasitism by Trichogramma in a tropical Bt‐transgenic cotton landscape

• 1 Understanding the spatio‐temporal dynamics of insects in agroecosystems is crucial when developing effective management strategies that emphasize the biological control of pests.
• 2 Wild populations of Trichogramma Westwood egg parasitoids are utilized for the biological suppression of the potentially resistant pest species Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) in Bt‐transgenic cotton Gossypium hirsutum L. crops in the Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA), Western Australia, Australia.
• 3 Extensive, spatially‐stratified sampling during a season of relatively high Trichogramma abundance found that spatial patterns of pest egg parasitism in the ORIA tend toward heterogeneity, and do not necessarily coincide with host spatio‐temporal dynamics. Both patterns of host egg density and mean rates of parasitism are not good indicators of parasitoid spatio‐temporal dynamics in ORIA cotton crops.
• 4 Parasitism rates can be significantly higher within the middle strata of the cotton plant canopy before complete canopy closure, despite a similar number of host eggs being available elsewhere in the plant.
• 5 Spatial variation in egg parasitism by Trichogramma in Bt‐transgenic cotton is evident at the between‐field, within‐field and within‐plant scale, and is not solely driven by host spatial dynamics. These factors should be considered when estimating Trichogramma impact on pest species during biological control and spatio‐temporal studies of host‐parasitoid interactions in general.

     

Fruiting patterns of macrofungi in tropical and temperate land use types in Yunnan Province,China

Despite the important contribution of fungi to forest health, biomass turnover and carbon cycling, little is known about the factors that influence fungal phenology. Therefore, in order to further our understanding on how macrofungal fruiting patterns change along a gradient from temperate to tropical climate zones, we investigated the phenological patterns of macrofungal fruiting at five sites along a combined altitudinal and latitudinal gradient in SW China and NW Laos, ranging from temperate to tropical climates. Observations were conducted in the dominant land use types at these study sites: mixed forest (all sites), coniferous forest (temperate sites) and grassland (temperate sites). In total, 2866 specimens were collected, belonging to 791 morpho species, 162 genera, and 71 families. At the site level, the fruiting of ectomycorrhizal (EcMF) and saprotrophic fungi (SapF) occurred at the same time among all land use types. The fruiting season of fungi in the tropical sites began earlier and ended later compared to that of fungi in the temperate sites, which we attribute mainly to the higher temperature and more abundant rainfall of the tropical areas. EcMF taxa richness in temperate forests (both coniferous and mixed forest) showed a distinct peak at the end of the rainy season in August and September, while no significant peak was observed for SapF taxa richness. Neither functional fungal groups showed significant seasonal fluctuations in tropical areas. The temporal turnover of fungal fruiting significantly increased with the shift from tropical to temperate forests along the elevation gradient. In the grasslands, macrofungal abundance was less than 22% of that of corresponding forest sites, and taxa richness was 42% of that of corresponding forest sites. Fungal fruiting showed no significant fluctuations across the rainy season. This work represents a case study carried out over one year, and further measurements will be needed to test if these results hold true in the longer term.     

Resting sites,edge effects and dispersion of a polyphagous Bactrocera fruit fly within crops of different architecture

The spot or strip application of poisoned protein bait is a lure‐and‐kill technique used for the management of fruit flies. Knowledge of where flies occur in the crop environment is an important part of maximizing the efficacy of this tool. Bactrocera tryoni is a polyphagous pest of horticulture for which very little is known about its distribution within crops. With particular reference to edge effects, we monitored the abundance of B. tryoni in two crops of different architecture; strawberry and apple. In strawberries, we found more flies on the crop edge early in the fruiting season, which lessened gradually and eventually disappeared as the season progressed. In apple orchards, no such edge effect was observed and flies were found equally throughout the orchard. We postulated these differences may be due to differences in crop height (high vs. short) and/or crop canopy architecture (opened and branched in apple, dense and closed in strawberry). In a field cage trial, we tested these predictions using artificial plants of different height and canopy condition. Height and canopy structure type had no significant effects on fly oviposition and protein feeding, but the ‘apple’ type canopy significantly influenced resting. We thus postulate that there was an edge effect in strawberry because the crop was not providing resting sites and flies were doing so in vegetation around the field margins. The finding that B. tryoni shows different resting site preferences based on plant architecture offers the potential for strategic manipulation of the fly through specific border or inter‐row plantings.     

Fruit fall in tropical and temperate forests: implications for frugivore diversity

There have been few attempts to compare fruit productivity throughout the world, although this is indispensable for understanding the global variations in frugivore diversity. The purposes of this study are (1) to reveal the patterns in fruit fall in tropical and temperate forests, (2) to examine the environmental factors (location, climate, and total litterfall) affecting these patterns, and (3) to assess the effect of fruit fall on frugivore diversity by using bird and primate data. Fruit fall was compared among 53 forests, from around the equator to the cool-temperate zone at 62°N, in Asia, Africa, North and South America, and Australia. Average ± SD of fruit fall (kg/ha/year) was 454 ± 258 in tropical, and 362 ± 352 in temperate forests. Fruit fall was exceptionally high in Australia (812 ± 461). When Australia was excluded, fruit fall significantly decreased with increasing absolute latitude and altitude, and fruit fall in tropical forest was 1.7 times larger than that in temperate forests (265 ± 227). Total litterfall affected fruit fall significantly, explaining 32, 28, and 64% of the variations of fruit fall in the entire data, tropical data, and temperate data, respectively. The fruit fall/litterfall ratio did not differ between temperate and tropical forests but was significantly higher in Australia than in other regions. Among climatic parameters (annual temperature, precipitation, actual evapotranspiration), a positive relationship was found between temperature and fruit fall in the entire dataset and within temperate forests. Fruit fall seemed to explain the temperate/tropical difference in frugivorous primate diversity to some extent, but not for frugivorous bird diversity. This study shows that the difference in fruit fall in tropical and temperate forests is smaller than that in frugivore diversity, and that it could explain at least part of the frugivore diversity.     

Reducing boll weevil populations by clipping terminal buds and removing abscised fruiting bodies

Cotton pests damaging fruiting bodies (squares and young bolls) are difficult to control and their damage results in direct yield loss. Small growers, with low technological inputs, represent a large portion of cotton growers worldwide comprising more than 76 countries; they rely mainly on cultural practices to counteract pest attack in their crops. Boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), oviposition involves puncturing cotton squares and young bolls, causing abscission. We examined the impact on boll weevil population of collecting abscised cotton fruiting bodies and clipping plant terminals at 50% boll maturation in the field during two cotton‐growing seasons and under field cage conditions. Greatest numbers of damaged squares occurred ca. 117 days after planting and clipped plants resulted in reduction of abscised structures and adult boll weevils compared with non‐clipped plants, irrespective of cotton variety. Damaged young bolls were found ca. 128 days after planting in 2009 and 2011, but clipping had no effect. Numbers of boll weevils found in plants of the varieties BRS 201 and BRS Rubi (both in 2009) and BRS Rubi (in 2011) were, respectively, 13‐, 17‐, and 20‐fold greater when clipping plus collecting abscised fruiting bodies were not practiced. Furthermore, the average percentage of the boll weevil parasitoid Bracon vulgaris Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) emerging from abscised and collected structures was similar between clipped and non‐clipped plant terminals in both seasons. Clipping plant terminals did not result in yield reduction and reduced adult boll weevil production. Collecting abscised reproductive structures, clipping plant terminals, and using both practices together reduced boll weevil populations by as much as 63, 57, and 79%, respectively, in cage trials. Thus, these practices cause significant impact on boll weevil populations and are feasible of adoption, especially for smallholder cotton growers.     

Ontogeny in the European earwig (Forficula auricularia) and grain crops interact to exacerbate feeding damage risk

The preference of herbivores for different host plants can be modulated by plant ontogeny. In agricultural pest management, this has implications for sowing dates and pest monitoring. In the last 20 years, the European earwig (Forficula auricularia), a cosmopolitan pest, has been increasingly implicated in damage to grain crops in Australia. Among these, rapeseed, Brassica napus, appears especially at risk, but little information on F. auricularia as a grain pest is available. We tested the susceptibility of seven grain crops commonly grown in Australia to infestation by F. auricularia using closed microcosm experiments, exposing plant seedlings at two early growth stages to four different life stages of F. auricularia. Lucerne and rapeseed were shown to be the most vulnerable crops, and younger seedlings experienced significantly more damage than older seedlings across all crop types. Fourth instar F. auricularia were found to cause greater feeding damage than younger or older earwigs, while adults collected in winter generally caused more damage than those collected in summer. Surprisingly, even second instar F. auricularia caused greater damage than summer adults. This variation could reflect the ontogenetically dynamic nutritional needs of earwigs. Recent studies of F. auricularia's life cycle in southern Australia indicate that these damaging life stages have some overlap with sowing dates of the crops tested here, exposing their vulnerable seedling stage to infestation. The phenology of F. auricularia in southern Australia therefore partly drives its ability to act as a pest. Future monitoring will likely need to track the distribution of F. auricularia life stages in order to effectively mitigate risks to vulnerable crops.     

How aphid alarm pheromone can control aphids: a review

Aphids are the major pests of arable crops, mostly in temperate regions. They are monophagous as well as polyphagous. They inflict damage in brassica, potato, cotton, vegetable and fruit crops. They damage their host plant directly by feeding upon their phloem sap, or indirectly by transmitting pathogens to them. Their life cycle can be autoecious as well as heteroecious. Aphids use semiochemicals for various purposes, in gathering information from their environment and for communication among themselves. They protect themselves from predators and parasitoids by escape response which is arbitrated by use of alarm pheromone signalling. When alarm pheromone, (E)-ß-farnesene, is released, nearby aphids exhibit a variety of behaviours like moving away, running, dropping off the plant and even attacking the predator. Previous studies of integrated pest management strategies have been aimed at the usage of alarm pheromone. However, scientists require complete knowledge of aphid ecology as well as aphid interaction with its natural enemies to establish efficient and viable biological control. This review presents analysis of the existing aphid pest management methodologies and effectiveness of alarm pheromone on aphids and their natural enemies.     

华北棉区棉铃虫种群动态与其为害特征分析

本文述及棉铃虫为害特性及其与为害后棉株的补偿作用关系。根据棉株生命表资料,蕾期棉株蕾花的脱落主要系由棉铃虫为害所致。而铃期蕾铃的脱落,则主要系由棉株的生理条件。在蕾期,前三周内蕾花被害脱落后,棉株的补偿作用是很高的,从第四周起补偿作用逐渐下降,而到铃期阶段时补偿作用降至很低水平。因此蕾期棉株遭受一定数量以内的棉铃虫为害,而使蕾花脱落后,反而可促使棉花增产。根据棉铃虫生命表资料,从卵期至三龄末幼虫期的累计死亡率占总死亡率的90%以上,结合幼虫死亡率与不同龄期为害水平分析,棉铃虫对棉株的主要为害阶段系在2—3龄期,其对果实的为害量占总为害的65%。而棉株被害蕾铃的田间空间分布型系遵从负二项分布,期公共K值为3.4626。     

Contrasting demographics of tropical savanna and temperate forest eucalypts provide insight into how savannas and forests function. A case study using Corymbia clarksoniana from north‐eastern Australia

Eucalypts (Eucalyptus spp. and Corymbia spp.) dominate many communities across Australia, including frequently burnt tropical savannas and temperate forests, which receive less frequent but more intense fires. Understanding the demographic characteristics that allow related trees to persist in tropical savannas and temperate forest ecosystems can provide insight into how savannas and forests function, including grass–tree coexistence. This study reviews differences in critical stages in the life cycle of savanna and temperate forest eucalypts, especially in relation to fire. It adds to the limited data on tropical eucalypts, by evaluating the effect of fire regimes on the population biology of Corymbia clarksoniana, a tree that dominates some tropical savannas of north‐eastern Australia. Corymbia clarksoniana displays similar demographic characteristics to other tropical savanna species, except that seedling emergence is enhanced when seed falls onto recently burnt ground during a high rainfall period. In contrast to many temperate forest eucalypts, tropical savanna eucalypts lack canopy‐stored seed banks; time annual seed fall to coincide with the onset of predictable wet season rain; have very rare seedling emergence events, including a lack of mass germination after each fire; possess an abundant sapling bank; and every tropical eucalypt species has the ability to maintain canopy structure by epicormically resprouting after all but the most intense fires. The combination of poor seedling recruitment strategies, coupled with characteristics allowing long‐term persistence of established plants, indicate tropical savanna eucalypts function through the persistence niche rather than the regeneration niche. The high rainfall‐promoted seedling emergence of C. clarksoniana and the reduction of seedling survival and sapling growth by fire, support the predictions that grass–tree coexistence in savannas is governed by rainfall limiting tree seedling recruitment and regular fires limiting the growth of juvenile trees to the canopy.     

Abscisic Acid: correlations with abscission and with development in the cotton fruit

Abscisic acid was measured in developing cotton fruit (Gossypium hirsutum) by means of gas-liquid chromatography. High levels of abscisic acid occurred in correlation with abortion and abscission of young fruit, with low germination of immature seed, and with senescence and dehiscence of mature fruit. Declining or low levels of abscisic acid occurred in correlation with the period of most rapid fruit growth and with high germination of immature and mature seed. Young fruit of cultivar Acala 4-42 contained about twice as much abscisic acid as young fruit of cultivar Acala SJ-1, and this difference is correlated with a higher rate of young fruit abscission in Acala 4-42. Young fruit abscising late in the fruiting season contained about twice as much abscisic acid as young fruit abscising early in the fruiting season.